Hunter Biden experienced a significant legal setback just hours before the start of his federal trial. Hunter Biden will stand trial on federal charges for allegedly lying about his drug use in a 2018 gun purchase form.
A judge ruled that Hunter Biden is promoting a "conspiracy theory" regarding his denial of drug addiction on a gun ownership form ahead of his trial for illegal firearm possession, Newsweek reported.
Biden, son of the current U.S. President, faces federal charges for allegedly lying on a 2018 federal firearm purchase form about his illegal drug use. Judge Maryellen Noreika's rulings on Sunday dealt a blow to Biden's defense strategies, dismissing various arguments aimed at undermining the prosecution's case.
The trial marks an unprecedented moment as Hunter Biden becomes the first child of a sitting U.S. president to undergo a criminal trial. The trial begins with jury selection on Monday. Biden's defense team is preparing to challenge the quality and validity of the prosecution's evidence.
Judge Noreika has ruled against Biden's motion to introduce an almost identical gun purchase form into evidence. Biden claimed that this form was a manipulated version intended to incriminate him, but the judge rejected this notion as unsupported and potentially prejudicial.
In her decision, Judge Noreika wrote that the jury should not consider the political views previously expressed by Adrian Palimere, the gun shop owner. Palimere had not witnessed Biden completing the purchase application, weakening the argument of bias.
The judge also found that Biden's suggestions of political bias and unsupported conspiracy theories were irrelevant and could cause confusion. These were particularly linked to accusations that federal forms were doctored to frame him.
Gordon Cleveland, a gun shop employee, will be a critical witness for the prosecution. Cleveland is expected to testify that he observed Hunter Biden fill out Section A of the Certified Form and deny being an unlawful drug user or addict in response to question 11e.
The defense asserts that the language used on the federal form was ambiguous, attempting to weaken the prosecution’s stance. However, Judge Noreika’s ruling undermines this aspect, focusing more on the factual evidence presented by Cleveland.
Meanwhile, the judge's rulings signify that unsupported rhetoric and attempts to cast doubt on the trial's integrity will not be entertained. She emphasized the need for the trial to focus on facts and dismiss irrelevant political distractions.
Judge Noreika stated clearly that the court would not entertain suggestions of nullification or irrelevant prejudices. Her rulings aimed to keep the proceedings focused solely on the legality of Biden’s actions concerning the gun purchase form. Judge Noreika concluded that the defense's theory about doctored forms was largely speculative and would present a significant risk of biasing the jury.
Summarizing the key points, Biden is charged with illegally possessing a firearm after allegedly lying about his drug use on a purchase form in 2018. Despite the defense's various strategies, none succeeded on Sunday.
As the trial proceeds, the focus will be on the tangible evidence regarding Biden's drug use at the time of the purchase and the integrity of the process he underwent. Witness testimonies like Cleveland's are likely to play a crucial role in determining the outcomes. Judge Noreika's rulings strongly frame the proceedings, emphasizing objectivity and factual integrity while dismissing politically charged and speculative defenses.
